Israeli missile strike in Iran results in death of Ukrainian woman
Title: Ukraine War Update: Deaths in Iranian Rocket Attack, Zelenskyy Calls for Action Against Axis
In a tragic turn of events, a Ukrainian woman and her 8-year-old daughter, both undergoing treatment for leukemia in Israel, were killed in an Iranian rocket attack on a residential building in Bat Yam near Tel Aviv. This heartbreaking incident occurred last Sunday, according to Israeli authorities.
Ukrainian President Takes Action
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been busy taking decisive steps to safeguard his nation. He's called for international action against the Russia, Iran, and North Korea axis, stating that Russia is attempting to save the Iranian nuclear program. Zelenskyy claims that Moscow intervenes whenever one of its partners comes under pressure, and measures must be taken to prevent these aggressive states from uniting. If Iranian drones and North Korean missiles continue to kill Ukrainians, global solidarity and global pressure is not enough, he asserted. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to significantly toughen sanctions.
New Commander Appointed
Zelenskyy also appointed Colonel-General Hennadiy Shapovalov as the new commander of the ground forces. Shapovalov, who was previously the liaison officer in the NATO staff in Wiesbaden, will replace the former commander, Mikhailo Drapatyi, who stepped down in early June over responsibility for the deaths of 12 soldiers in a Russian rocket attack on a training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Meeting at the UN Security Council
The UN Security Council is set to address the Ukraine war this Friday evening. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described it as a reaction to "Russia's latest wave of terror and brutal attacks on Ukraine." According to official reports, at least 28 people have been killed and over 140 injured in massive air strikes on Kyiv. Sybiha demands clear signals that pressure on the aggressor will be increased and that Ukraine will be supported, including additional air defense capabilities.
Remains of Russian Soldiers Found Among Repatriated Bodies
Among the thousands of bodies recently handed over by Russia to Ukraine, Kyiv reports the inclusion of remains of Russian soldiers. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that Russia is using the repatriation of deceased bodies as a manipulative tool, causing chaos and complicating identification. He also showed photos of a Russian ID card and a dog tag found among the remains, raising questions about Russia's intentions.
Trump Departs G7 Early, Reasons Unclear
US President Trump departed the G7 summit in Canada earlier than expected, citing the situation in the Middle East as the reason. However, a report by the "Financial Times" suggests there may have been other factors at play. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump's irritation with French President Macron, who had stopped in Greenland en route to Canada and spoke out against Trump's threats to seize control of the island belonging to Denmark, played a part in his decision. Lack of interest in meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Canada was also a factor, the report says.
Latvia Bans Russians and Belarusians from Buying Property
Latvia has barred Russian and Belarusian citizens from purchasing property in the country, citing security concerns. The parliament passed a law to this effect, stating that Russia's hybrid war against supporters of Ukraine includes indirect property acquisition in other countries. Latvia largely suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits for Russians previously. Latvia has a large Russian-speaking minority.
New Developments in the North Korea-Russia Alliance
North Korea could deepen its military cooperation with Russia by sending up to 25,000 workers to a drone factory in Russia. These workers would boost production in return for training in operating drones. The factory, which assembles Iranian Shahed drones, is located in the Alabuga special economic zone in the Russian republic of Tatarstan. Reports indicate that North Korea could soon send thousands of soldiers to the Russian region of Kursk for reconstruction. Previously, North Korean soldiers fought alongside Russian troops against Ukrainian units, forcing them to retreat.
EU Could Invest Frozen Russian Funds Differently for More Revenue
Frozen Russian assets could generate significantly more profit to support Ukraine if they were invested differently. The European Union is considering transferring nearly 200 billion euros of frozen Russian state funds in Belgium to a new, high-risk investment fund to generate more profits. The goal is to generate more revenues for Ukraine's war-torn economy despite threats from US President Trump to cut off financial aid.
Denmark to Push for Ukrainian EU Accession
Denmark, which will hold the EU presidency from July 1st to December 31st, aims to accelerate Ukraine's entry into the European Union. Minister for Europe, Marie Bjerre, has stated that the government will exert "as much pressure as possible" on EU partner Hungary, which has so far hindered a swift accession process. Ukraine has received a general pledge for membership, but the process could take years.
Dead and Injured in New Russian Attacks
Russian drone and artillery attacks overnight resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man in the Dnipro region and four others injured, including an 11-year-old boy. Ukrainian authorities continue to exchange prisoners with Russia.
Russian Deserters Choose Imprisonment over Return to Warfront
Some Russian deserters are intentionally going AWOL to face criminal prosecution, rather than being sent back to the front in Ukraine. Their lawyers help ensure their clients receive prison sentences rather than probation, the only alternative that could send them back to the warzone. At least 49,000 Russian soldiers have deserted since the start of the war.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Slams Russia's Continued Bombing Despite Peace Proposal
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Russia for continuing to bomb Ukraine 100 days after it accepted a U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire. He called for international pressure on Moscow to end the war. "Exactly 100 days have passed since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire, to stop the killing and to advance a real peace process," Sybiha said. Ukraine supported the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11. Russia rejected this offer and instead demanded maximum concessions while intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Finland Leaves Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines
Following the Baltic NATO states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, Finland is also exiting the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines. Finland's parliament voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the treaty due to security concerns posed by its eastern neighbor, Russia. The law will come into effect six months after Finland submits a corresponding notification to the United Nations.
NATO to Undergo Restructuring
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will cut jobs as part of a comprehensive restructuring, aiming to abolish two departments and reduce dozens of jobs at the Brussels headquarters. The restructuring will streamline the organization by reducing the number of international departments from eight to six, with the affected departments being the public diplomacy department and the executive management department.
Russian Propaganda Network Dismantled in Argentina
Argentina has uncovered a Russian intelligence operation orchestrated to spread Kremlin-friendly disinformation and influence public opinion. The network, known as La Compania and allegedly linked to the Russian government and the Kremlin project Lakhta, was led by Russian citizen Lev Konstantinovich Andriashev and his wife Irina Yakovenko. Both are accused of receiving financial support to recruit local employees and conduct influence operations to promote Moscow’s geopolitical interests. Their goal was to form a group loyal to Russian interests for the purpose of developing disinformation campaigns against the Argentine state. The investigation is ongoing.
SPD Politican Dirk Wiese Doubts Putin's Willingness to Engage in DialogueSpokesman for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and parliamentary business manager of the SPD parliamentary group Dirk Wiese expressed his openness to talks with Vladimir Putin but questioned the Russian President's willingness to engage in serious dialogue. Wiese believes Russia has not shown any sincere interest in negotiations and cites Putin's controlled press conferences as further evidence. Despite Putin's expressed readiness for a conversation with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Wiese remains cautious.
Sources: ntv.de, as/hul/mau/dpa/rts/AFP, iStories, Infobae, Meduza, Politico
- Ukraine War
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict
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- The escalating Ukraine War has prompted Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to call for increased international action against the alleged Russia, Iran, and North Korea axis, fearing the united aggression of these states could continue to endanger Ukrainian lives.
- Amid war-and-conflicts worldwide, the UN Security Council is preparing to address the Ukrainian crisis this Friday, following requests for global action from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who has criticized the continued bombing of Ukraine despite a proposed ceasefire agreement.
